When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Max Sheaf will return for Cheltenham Town at Morecambe on Saturday after being rested for Tuesday's Carabao Cup first round defeat at Bristol Rovers. The 19-year-old midfielder has made a bright start to life on loan from Hull City. Here is discusses his hopes for his six-month spell with the Robins, what Grant McCann told him about the club and having an older brother at Arsenal...

How have you found it at Cheltenham Town so far?

It’s been a really good couple of weeks for me and I’ve settled in really well. The fans seem great and I’ve been learning a lot already.

What’s it been like playing competitive first team football?

Under-23s football can’t compare to League Two and I have already seen the pressures of league football and the margins – there is no room for error. I’ve really tried to embrace it and relish it, absorbing everything around me.

Max Sheaf

How pleased have you been with your form so far?

Leyton Orient was a good experience for me. I have a lot of learning to do off the ball and I realised that in both the Orient game and Scunthorpe. I’ve enjoyed both games and been happy with things on the ball. There is a lot of improvement to do and the gaffer (Michael Duff) has been helping me with that.

Read More

Related Articles

Michael Duff played in the same Cheltenham and Northern Ireland teams as Grant McCann. Are they cut from the same cloth in terms of what they say as managers?

In some ways, yes - all good things for young players to hear. They have had unbelievable experience in their careers so whatever they say you have to take it in and they do both say some similar things, telling you to go and express yourself, but also keep your head down and keep working hard.

Have you helped your Hull City team mate Jacob Greaves settle in?

Yes, it was a bit weird seeing him come down, but he’s adapted well with the lads, coming in and doing well in his first game. I’ve tried to help him settle in as much as possible, but I’ve had some settling in to do myself as well, but he’s been good and nice to have him here as well.

Does it make you feel like one of the more established players around the place, helping him settle in?

Yes, weirdly is does! No, the lads have been top drawer and it feels like I’ve known them months or years. It’s been easy and when you have people like that around you can focus on your football and it makes it all easier.

Was Tuesday night a performance the whole team need to bounce back from?

Yes, and we know Morecambe is going to be a tough game and a battle, but we’re ready for that. We need to knuckle down and improve on our away form and the gaffer has been big on that. We need to cut out the goals we concede, play our own football and take the game to them as we did against Scunthorpe.

Are you ready to go back into the side?

Yes, definitely. I had a bit of time off to recover and iron over any pre-season niggles I’ve had, but I am ready.

Does that say something about the intensity of League Two?

Yes, definitely. However much recovery you do, your body has to adapt and mine will take a bit of time.

You made your debut in the Championship against Bristol City last season, what was that like?

It was unbelievable. I came on and it was a dream come true really, a great experience to play at such a high level. I played for 20 minutes, but came off the pitch wanting more and it’s almost addictive. I really enjoyed it.

Can this loan spell help you get a lot more of that?

Yes, especially with what the gaffer wants from us, I’ve already learned so much here. I am aiming to absorb as much as possible, take that back to Hull and hopefully push on from there. It’s been so much more than I expected here, giving me a lot to learn and add to my game.

Your brother Ben is out on loan from Arsenal at Doncaster Rovers, do you speak to him a lot?

We speak nearly every day, he’s been massive in my development as well. He’s helped me throughout my career and we’ve grown up in this industry together. I try to take as much as possible from him. He’s crossed a few barriers before me which has enabled me to approach them the way he learned to, which has helped me adjust quicker and he’s been brilliant for me.

Are you similar players?

Read More

Related Articles

How much have you enjoyed playing with Jake Doyle-Hayes so far?

He’s a great little player and it's brilliant to have him, Clem (Chris Clements), CT (Conor Thomas) and Broomy (Ryan Broom) sometimes, good technicians behind you. It's so much easier to get on the ball and express yourself with them behind you.

What has Grant McCann said to you about Cheltenham and Michael Duff?

He’s obviously really close to the gaffer here. He said Cheltenham is a great place and I know he is a bit of a legend here! He said I’d enjoy it and that was the main thing and the football would take care of itself. I am here to show what I am about and learn as much as possible.